By Tabora Bojang
The Gambia National Trade Union Congress has called on the Chief Justice to allow the industrial tribunals to continue sitting in chambers as cases are languishing at the tribunal.
A letter to the CJ Hassan Jallow, signed by Trade Union Congress secretary general Ebrima Garba Cham, lamented that since December 2019 the proceedings of the industrial tribunal ceased even though a panel was constituted and sworn in to serve in the tribunal.
“All other courts are proceeding except the Industrial Tribunal which is unfair. There are piles of cases and pending judgements before the industrial tribunal when panelists are nominated and they have sworn in to serve,” Mr Cham said in the letter.
He further noted that most of the litigants are hospitality workers who have been unemployed or asked to sit at home due to Covid-19, putting most of them at the risk of being evicted by their landlords causing them broken families.
“They cannot have employment or search for employment because their cases are before the court which really frustrated them. We are seeking the indulgence of your good office to allow the industrial tribunal to continue sitting in chambers to build the confidence of the vulnerable litigants,” the unionist lamented.
